City and Partners to Receive AmeriCorps NCCC Team

~ Team to support UCI Road World Cycling Championships sustainability effort ~

The Southern Regional Office of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) selected the City of Richmond and HandsOn Greater Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Groundwork RVA, and Virginia Green Travel Alliance to receive an AmeriCorps NCCC Team this Fall. The Southern Regional Office received 50 applications and awarded only 20 teams. NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential national service program for young adults who want to give back to communities in need at different locations across the country. There are currently more than 50,000 members serving in AmeriCorps NCCC.

“Being selected as a recipient of an AmeriCorps NCCC team recognizes the importance the City places on volunteerism as a way to engage young people in the work of City government and improving the community,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

The Richmond NCCC team will have five to nine members and work in Richmond from September 17 through November 11, 2015. The team will support the City’s RVAgreen sustainability initiative by serving as Green Team leaders for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships and the 2015 Richmond Folk Festival to enhance recycling, composting and other sustainable event practices. They will also complete several community-based urban greening projects including removal of invasive species, trail erosion diversion and building an outdoor living classroom. The team will be housed at Second Presbyterian Church and Pocahontas State Park.

“The City of Richmond and our partners collaborated to get an AmeriCorps NCCC team because we knew it would be a win-win scenario,” said Alicia Zatcoff, City of Richmond Sustainability Manager. “Our RVAgreen sustainability efforts will receive additional support and the NCCC team members will gain invaluable experience while making meaningful contributions to our community.”